CATHOLIC FAITH

  Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael the Archangels By Edward Matulanya Discover the Catholic Church teaching about Archangels. The Catholic Church teaches that angels are purely spiritual beings who serve as God’s messengers and helpers (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997, §§328-336). Among them, the Church venerates by name only Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, whose missions are recorded in Sacred Scripture and whose feast is kept on 29 September. Saint Michael the Archangel Michael’s name means “Who is like God?” (Vatican City State, 2020). Scripture depicts him as the defender of God’s people (Dn 10:13; 12:1), the leader of the heavenly army against Satan (Rv 12:7-9), and protector of the Church (CCC, 1997, §335). Saint Gabriel the Archangel Gabriel’s name means “God is my strength” (Vatican City State, 2020). He is God’s principal messenger, announcing the birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:11-20) and, most notably, the Incarnation to Mary at the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38)...

By Edward Matulanya  Discover the Catholic Church teaching on  Trinity as three Persons of one true God. In Roman Catholic theology, dogma is a divinely revealed truth in matters of faith or morals that the Church’s Magisterium formally defines as binding for all the faithful. Such teachings are drawn from Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition and are proclaimed with the charism of infallibility by the Pope or an ecumenical council (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997/2019, §§88–91). Catholics must give these truths the assent of divine and Catholic faith ; an unconditional belief because they rest on God’s own authority as revealed and safeguarded by the Church (Second Vatican Council, 1964/2012, Lumen gentium, §25). Dogmas do not change in substance, though their understanding can deepen over time as the Church reflects more fully on revelation (CCC, 1997/2019, §94). Classic examples include the Trinity , the Incarnation, the Immaculate Conception, and the Assumpt...

  Image  of Saint Wenceslaus By Edward Matulanya Discover the life of Saint Wenceslaus a good King. St. Wenceslaus known in Czech as Václav and popularly called Good King Wenceslas was born around 907 AS near Prague to Duke Vratislaus I and Drahomíra of Bohemia (Britannica, n.d.-a). After his father’s death, his Christian grandmother St. Ludmila oversaw his upbringing and instructed him in the faith (New Advent, 1912). Wenceslaus became Duke of Bohemia around 921 CE and worked to strengthen Christianity in his realm: he restored exiled clergy, built churches, aided the poor, and reportedly embraced a life of chastity (New Advent, 1912). Political tension between Christian and pagan factions culminated when his younger brother Boleslaus conspired against him. On 28 September traditionally dated either 929 or 935—Wenceslaus was murdered near the church door at Stará Boleslav while attending Mass (Britannica, n.d.-a; New Advent, 1912). The Church venerates him as a martyr bec...

By Edward Matulanya  Pope John Paul II visited Tanzania from 1–5 September 1990 as part of a pastoral journey to Africa that also included Burundi, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast. He traveled to Dar es Salaam, Songea, Mwanza, Tabora and Moshi. John Paul II Arrival in Dar es Salaam Image of Pope John Paul II welcomed by Mwinyi Arrival in Dar es Salaam (1 Sept 1990). The Pope was welcomed by government and Church leaders and immediately praised Tanzania’s tradition of peace and interreligious harmony (John Paul II, Arrival Address, 1 Sept 1990). Pope John Paul II arrived in Dar es Salaam and was greeted by President Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Catholic leaders (John  Priestly Ordinations at Jangwani by John Paul II  Priestly Ordinations, Jangwani Grounds (2 Sept) – He celebrated Mass and ordained new priests, urging them to “be faithful ministers of the Word and Sacraments” (Homily, Dar es Salaam, 2 Sept 1990). John Paul II was the principal celebrant of a large outdoor Mass in which “...

  Image of Saint Vincent de Paul By Edward Matulanya  Discover the life of Saint Vincent de Paul. Early Life and Education Saint Vincent de Paul was born on April 24, 1581, in Pouy, Gascony (now Saint-Vincent-de-Paul), France, into a poor peasant family. At the age of 15, his father sold the family’s oxen to finance his education at the seminary in Dax. Vincent later studied theology at the University of Toulouse and was ordained a priest in 1600 (Catholic.org, n.d.; Wikipedia, 2025). Captivity and Conversion In 1605, Vincent was captured by Barbary pirates and sold into slavery in Tunis. After two years, he escaped and returned to France, where he resumed his theological studies in Rome and Paris (Catholic.org, n.d.). Commitment to the Poor Vincent's life took a transformative turn after hearing the confession of a dying peasant, leading him to dedicate himself to serving the poor. He founded the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) in 1625 to evangelize the rural poor a...

  One God By Edward Matulanya   Here’s a clear explanation of One God according to the Roman Catholic Church, as explained by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and the Holy Bible. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is one, living, and true God, the Creator of all things, who is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and present everywhere. God is one in essence (nature) but exists as a Trinity of Persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mystery of one divine substance in three Persons does not divide God, but reveals His inner life of perfect unity and love. According to Catechism of the Catholic Church, (CCC 200) “There is but one God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, a Trinity of one substance.” Also, (CCC 201) “To Israel, his chosen, God revealed himself as the only One: ‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD…’ (Dt 6:4).”Further more, (CCC 253) “The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three Persons, the ‘consubstan...

  Image of Saints Cosmas and Damian By Edward Matulanya Discover the life of Saint Cosmas and Damian, the early Christian Martyrs. Saints Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers and early Christian martyrs, renowned for their medical expertise and unwavering faith. Born in Arabia during the 3rd century, they practiced medicine in the seaport town of Aegea (modern-day Ayash, Turkey) without accepting payment, earning them the title anargyroi—Greek for “the silverless” or “unmercenaries”. Early Life and Medical Practice of  Saints Cosmas and Damian Raised by their Christian mother, Theodota, Cosmas and Damian were educated in Syria and became skilled physicians. Their charitable approach to medicine, offering services without charge, led many to convert to Christianity. They were reputed to have performed miraculous healings, including curing blindness, fever, and paralysis, and even expelling a serpent from a patient's breast . Martyrdom of  Saints Cosmas and Damian During th...